Knabe Assumes Post of County Board Chairman

Supervisor Don Knabe assumed the largely ceremonial position of chairman of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday and announced that he would attempt to make county government more accountable.

Knabe said he will seek to create an inspector general for risk management to minimize the county’s liability in lawsuits and a charter amendment removing top bureaucrats from civil service protection.

“It is easy to make hard decisions in hard times--when your back is up against the wall and you have no choice--but it is hard to make the tough decisions in good times,” Knabe said, noting the county’s recent upgrade in its bond rating by Moody’s Investor Service.

Also Tuesday, Supervisor Gloria Molina became chair pro tem. She will take over as chairwoman when Knabe’s one-year term expires in December 1999.